M.Arch Syllabus & Subjects List 2026: Download Semester-wise Syllabus PDF

Parul Thapa

Parul ThapaAssistant Manager

MArch courses is all about design and development of a building or structure. Courses are offered at the UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate and Doctorate levels. This course is focused on theoretical as well as practical subjects with core and elective subjects which help candidates understand the concepts of Architecture. Candidates should know that syllabus and the curriculum can be different according to the course levels. Course duration can be from 6 months to 3 years but then again it depends on the course level.

Core Subjects

Candidates can see the table below:

Semester 1

Subject

Details

Urban Design

Candidates learn planning studies for urban designing by observing urban environments and providing urban housing, renewal and regeneration.

Large Span Structures for Architectural Application

It deals with the designing of space frames, structural systems, braced folded structures, tensile structures and space structures with changing geometries.

Legal Framework for Urban Infrastructure Project

The objective of this course is to introduce candidates to the legal framework and standards such as the National Building Code of India 2016 and regulations provided by national and international agencies. It also deals with the legal principles guiding large-scale development and sports facilities.

Advanced Computer Studio

Candidates are introduced to the REVIT software popularly used for architectural design and structural design and successfully converting 2-D designs into 3-D designs.

Semester 2

Subject

Details

Structures and Services in High-Rise Buildings

The course introduces a separate typology in architecture- tall buildings, their construction, installation of firefighting systems and their impact on the environment and urban setting.

Contemporary Process in Architecture

It analyses the concepts such as fractals, Multi-source synthesis, key-shape animation, Cellular Automata, digital architecture and case studies on world-renowned architects.

Urban Infrastructure Projects

The course deals with designing urban infrastructure projects such as SEZs, transport connectivity, growth of neighbourhood communities and integration of essential services with buildings.

Semester 3

Subject

Details

New Urbanism

The course familiarizes students with the concept of urban planning, new urbanism, rural-to-urban transformation and large-scale cluster development in agricultural lands.

Urban Landscape

Candidates learn about structures of open spaces, urban landscape design, maintenance of public spaces and designing of public parks, greenways and biological corridors.

Research Methodology in Architecture

It deals with the application of research methods in the formulation of the research question, hypothesis, data collection, analysis and inference. It also deals with methods of usage of computers in research and mathematical modelling and their limitations.

Performance Evaluation Tools for Sustainable Buildings

Learners acquire basic skills in building performance evaluation and modelling of passive systems and active systems. They are able to make a post-occupancy evaluations and advanced building simulations.

High-Rise Buildings

Candidates learn how to conceptualise ideas to design high-rise buildings and understand their planning concerns such as disaster and environmental risks.

Semester 4

Subject

Details

Thesis/Dissertation

Candidates have to submit a dissertation on any research topic towards successful completion of the course. They have to also appear for a viva-voce, justifying the skills learnt over the years.

Elective Courses

Subjects

Details

Sustainable Development

The course provides exposure to the traditional wisdom and passive techniques of creating a sustainable design. It also deals with the principles of sustainability, urban impact on the environment and planning aspects to minimise the environmental impact of buildings.

Green Building Strategies for Tall Buildings

An introductory course on green revolution in architecture, maintaining daylighting efficiency, recycling of resources, info-modelling and construction of buildings using smart technologies.

Disaster Management

Learners understand the concept of disasters, the disaster management cycle, principles of elementary seismology and seismic design. The most important learning outcome is related to earthquake-resistant designs.

Environmental Strategies

The course deals with the strategies for environmental protection, environmental economics, Environmental Impact Assessment cycle and Environmental Auditing.

New Age Materials and Construction

Candidates are exposed to new varieties of construction materials and curtain walls, ensuring material efficiency and efficient construction techniques.

Façade Technologies for Buildings

 

The course introduces the application of a façade systems by implementing glass, glazing and their structural integrity. It also deals with the advanced façade and their building performance.

Books and Authors for M.Arch

Candidates can see the table below:

Book

Author

Description

Urban Design Toolkit

Ministry of the Environment

This toolkit has been developed by the Ministry of Environment and provides the tools for community participation, raising awareness, implementation, planning and design and research and analysis.

Building Structures

Malcolm Millais

A celebrated work on the history of building structures and how these concepts are applied to simple building plans. The author explains how to do calculations for structures and how to design a structural design project.

REVIT Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modelling for Owners, Engineers

C Eastman, R Sacks, K Liston

A treatise on Building Information Modelling, which provides information on the methods to design and construct a building using a  digital format. It helps in making a design plan more customer-friendly and enhances it from two-dimensional to three-dimensional graphics.

The Guide Book of Sustainable Design

Sandra Mendler, William Odell

The authors have compiled case studies on the world’s famous architects, planners and designers, their design strategies and sustainable architecture methods. The guide also provides methods to increase customer satisfaction and material selection for resource conservation.

Skyscrapers-Structure and Design

Wells Mathew

The author explains the engineering and desig behind tall buildings and skyscrapers of the world. He explains how these buildings are designed to withstand earthquake or wind or fire hazards and analyses the tall buildings of the world.

Table of contents
  • Popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India
  • Popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India. Learn more about these M.Arch (Master of Architecture) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
1 Course
₹20 K
₹11 LPA
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4 Courses
₹1.8 L
₹8 LPA
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2 Courses
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₹80 K
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1 Course
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₹3.36 L
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6 Courses
₹1 L
₹6 LPA
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4 Courses
₹4.8 L
₹6 LPA
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Popular Private M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India

6 Courses
₹9.39 L - 12.04 L
₹7.5 LPA
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2 Courses
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₹2.5 LPA
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2 Courses
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5.0
5.0
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₹1.7 L
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1 Course
₹20 K
₹11 LPA
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4 Courses
₹1.8 L
₹8 LPA
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Popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Specializations

Following are the most popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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